Jags Driven To Score

Everton's defenders are determined to help Leighton Baines further increase his assists this term.

The England left-back earned his eighth assist of the season with his corner for the Blues’ first-half equaliser at White Hart Lane last weekend.

But while Baines is the top goal creator from defence in the Premier League this term, his teammates believe he deserves an even greater assists return.

Phil Jagielka, the recipient of Baines' pinpoint centre 15 minutes into Sunday's thrilling encounter at Spurs, explained: "It was nice to get the goal. Bainesy's put in some fantastic balls throughout the season and it's nice for him that someone's on the end of it giving him an assist.

"We needed a goal pretty quickly after going a goal down so early, so me and Sylvain [Distin] went up for the corner and I said to him it was about time one of us scored. With the way Sylvain heads the ball it was obviously up to me to take on the mantle of the goalscorer!"

Baines has delivered in excess of 250 centres from open play and corners this term, while only West Ham's Matt Jarvis and Wigan's Jean Beausejour have delivered more crosses in open play.

The defender has been a key figure in Everton's continuing mission to secure European football next term and Jagielka is confident fourth place remains an attainable goal with just a handful of games left to play.

He added: "We know we need a lot of help from teams around us, either taking points off each other or a shock result coming in. But we'll take that.

"We've not been in as good a position in the league as this for a long time - we're usually chasing the teams in fifth or sixth - so it's nice to have gone up a level.

"As much as we're delighted with the point at Spurs we'd have loved to have three. But we'll go on to the QPR game and keep the chase on for as long as possible."

Tickets for Saturday's home game against QPR are now on general sale. To buy, click here or call 0871 663 1878.

Alternatively, visit the Park End Box Office at Goodison Park, Everton Two in Liverpool One or TicketQuarter in Queen Square.

The Early Bird deadline for 2013/14 Season Tickets is Friday 19 April. Act fast to save up to £96.63 on your seat. For more information or to buy, click here.